Environment Specialist (Bogotá, Colombia)

Please note fluency in both Spanish and English is required for this position

Do you have experience in programme development and strategy in environment protection and climate change response, especially in conflict or post-conflict settings? 

If so, keep reading this might be a great opportunity for you!

Tienes experiencia en desarrollo de programas y estrategia en la protección del medioambiente y respuesta al cambio climático, especialmente en situaciones de conflicto o posconflicto? 

Si es así, sigue leyendo ya que puede ser una gran oportunidad para ti!

NRC started its operations in Colombia in 1991 to assist populations affected by the Colombian conflict and its resulting displacement. NRC Colombia has been implementing the project ‘Environments for Peace’ that seeks to promote a governance model for resource management and peace building in conflict affected hard to reach areas of particular environmental interest in the Departments of Caquetá, Guaviare and Meta. Since its inception in 2017, its activities have been geared towards the design and implementation of participative and sustainable rural development initiatives for ex-combatants and their communities. In its second phase commencing in the summer of 2021, the project will be implemented in partnership with the World Wild Fund (WWF) and the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development (FCDS).

Under the supervision of the Head of Programme, the Specialist will be responsible for the provision of regular and consistent support to the area and project managers through all phases of the Environments for Peace project cycle in line with NRC’s internal policies and processes, and for the design and roll-out of the most effective partnership modality for a project of this size. She/ he will also be tasked with the analysis of best and most effective implementation practices stemming from the project and seek to mobilise additional financial resources to replicate and expand the project’s activities in other geographical areas of Colombia.

The following is a brief description of the role.

1. Develop the “Environments for Peace” strategy, technical guidance and Macro LFAs that are aligned with relevant regional and global strategies and priorities
2. Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures
3. Contribute to fundraising, develop and revise funding proposal, budgets and donor reports
4. Identify trends technical standards and donor priorities
5. Follow up on compliance with contractual commitments within CC, ensure high technical quality and synergies in project implementation
6. Provide technical direction and project implementation support
7. Ensure that key learnings are extracted from CC implementation, and incorporate them in CC and staff development processes
8. Provide systematic training and build capacity of technical staff, in approaches including cash-based interventions and market based programme
9. Represent NRC in relevant forums/clusters, including with national authorities and donors
10. Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy

Specific responsibilities

Project Management Support (Environments for Peace Project)

1. Implement technical direction and ensure high technical quality of project activities;
2. Coordinate regularly with Area Office management to ensure the implementation of NRC project activities is receiving timely and relevant support;
3. Guided by the East Area Manager and the project manager collaborate with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders and represent NRC in relevant fora, clusters and working groups;
4. Analyze best partnership modalities and most effective decision-making mechanisms in coordination with NRC’s global and regional partnerships advisors;
5. Design and develop partnership working standard operating procedures;
6. Support due diligence processes for new implementing partners;
7. Hold regular meetings and oversee the partners work plans and progress towards goals. Flag any issues with delivery;
8. Ensure and support the implementation of the applicable M and E system in coordination with the NRC M and E team and partners’ teams.

Programme Development

1. Develop partnership programming in coordination with the project team members and other relevant NRC staff;
2. Coordinate the development of funding proposals, project budgets and donor reports;
3. Analyse the feasibility of and fundraise for the replication of environmental initiatives in Colombia that are linked to and in line with NRC’s mandate, policies and global strategy.
4. Design an environmental engagement strategy for NRC in Colombia with realistic pathways towards its successful implementation;
5. Streamline the understanding of sustainable environmental activities through NRC’s core competencies;
6. Provide advice on national and international environmental policies and best practices;
7. Serve as the link between NRC Colombia and NRC RO and Head Office to ensure alignment with the organization´s global engagement in environmental projects and related advocacy initiatives.

Please download the Job Description here

Knowledge, skills and experience

Generic professional competencies:

• Minimum 4 years of experience from a senior level project implementation position in a humanitarian/recovery context of which at least 3 in the implementation of environmental programmes
• Extensive experience working with and through partners
• Experience in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and verbal

• Knowledge of the context in Colombia
• University Degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Resource and Environmental   Planning, Environmental Policy, International Development or similar

What we offer:

• Type of contract: 3 years contract.
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale, terms and conditions.
• Duty station:  Bogotá, Colombia. Family Duty station.
• Travel: 25% across Area Offices.

Please note fluency in both Spanish and English is required for this position